Forums are generally great if you want to see a distorted picture of whatever subjects they cover.  They are a real bonus for people to go to when they need help when things go wrong.  When people are unhappy they complain and tell others about it.  That's the way it is and the Internet is a fantastic tool for venting ones anger.
 
The Eye on Spain forums are no different.  But why don't we have more "fun" threads being started about what's good and makes us happy about Spain?
 
Is it that the Spanish dream is now history?
 
I am reading a great book at the moment by Paul McKenna titled "I Can Make You Rich".  Now, don't laugh.  This book was lent to me by a friend as I had finished reading all my other books.  To be honest, I thought it was going to be a load of old waffle with Paul trying to hypnotise me with his words.  But that's not the case.
 
After the first couple of pages I was hooked.  I don't personally have any aspirations to be particularly rich, although if it happens I won't complain.  But the essence of the book is about the fact that many of us already lead "rich" lives but we just don't always realise it or appreciate it.
 
Although money can make your life easier in removing that related stress, money certainly can't buy you everything.
 
If you lost your sight today no amount of money would bring it back.
 
If you lost ability to move today no amount of money would bring it back.
 
If you lost a family member today no amount of money would bring that person back.
 
So where am I going with this?
 
When we moved over to Spain nearly six years ago, we came with very little money and suffered very badly because of it.  We therefore always advise people now to make sure they have plenty of money in the bank if they plan on moving here, or anywhere else for that matter.
 
I was 30 when we moved here but today things have changed considerably and for young people it can be very tough to make a living out here.  Young people really do need a lot of money if they want to work for themselves and set up a business here.  They will also have to work incredibly hard and master all aspects of running a business, selling, marketing, etc.
 
But for these people, Spain isn't so much a dream as an opportunity.  An opportunity for their lives to take a different path than it would have if they had stayed put.  It's a tough opportunity but an opportunity none the less.
 
The Spanish dream belongs to those who have, or are about to, head into retirement.
 
For this older generation (hope I'm being PC enough with this!) of people, the Spanish dream can be, and still is, very much alive.  They have worked hard all their lives, saving up and dreaming of a retirement in the sun, relaxed and happy in a new environment.
 
And why not.  You get one life and you have to live it as best you can.
 
For every negative story that comes up about Spain you will find another hundred who are quietly enjoying their part of Spain.  Whether they are living in a very expat area on the coast, or living as the only "guiri" in a village far in the mountains of Jaen, these people are relishing their new lives in Spain.
 
Before I get shot down...
 
Whenever I say anything nice about Spain I get criticised about it.  So this is for those that aren't appreciating what I've written so far.
 
I live in Spain and have experienced the frustrations of living here.  I know, and have helped, thousands of people who have lost money buying properties during the boom time.  For many of these people the dream has turned very sour and who could blame them.  If you've saved up all your life only to lose all that money buying the wrong property, it would shatter anyone's dream.
 
Also, in our recent poll, 73% of respondents voted that Spain isn't that cheap a place to live anymore and in a separate poll 70% believe that the property market will continue to decline for the foreseeable future.
 
Should all of this put you off of your Spanish dream?
 
NO!  You have one life and you can make it as rich as you want it to be.
 
Things have changed considerably in Spain over the past 2 or 3 years but the essence of the country and its people is very much still alive.  The Spanish dream no longer means that you have to buy your own property here.  Renting long term is very cheap now so why buy?  It isn't as cheap as it was but you don't have to eat out every week.  Throw up a quick barbecue on the terrace instead and just relax.
 
As Paul McKenna tells us, we can lead a rich lifestyle without having much money at all.
 
Some very good friends of mine are estate agents and, as with all estate agents here at the moment, they are having a very tough time of it.  But, after hearing Paul in my head (his writing IS hypnotic!), I made them realise how much richness they have in their lives.  They have a house by the beach!  How many people have a house by the beach?  It's a dream.  As long as they can cover their bills they already have a rich lifestyle.

Focus on the good and not the bad
 
The dream isn't dead.
 
There are thousands of expats living a perfectly happy lives in Spain, they just don't feel the need to shout about it.  The exchange rate may not be making their pensions stretch as far as they would like, but ask them where they would rather be and most will tell you that counting pennies, sat on their terraces on a warm night sipping a glass of wine easily beats their old lives.
 
One Life So Live it!